Syringe accessory for transfer of air sensitive materials

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, method, and article of manufacture for transferring fluid contained in a syringe. The apparatus includes an airlock component having a cylindrical body with a first end, a second end, and a hollow tube disposed between the first end and the second end. An annular opening is located at the first end of the cylindrical body. The hollow tube includes a gas inlet aperture and a gas outlet aperture. The hollow tube also includes an inwardly-facing airtight material coupled to the interior surface of the hollow tube, and a septum coupled to the second end of the cylindrical body. The method includes transferring fluid from one container to a second container using the apparatus. The article of manufacture includes the apparatus, a syringe, and a needle.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to syringe accessories and morespecifically to syringe accessories for handling air sensitivematerials.

An air sensitive fluid is any solution or pure liquid that reacts withcommon atmospheric components (e.g., water vapor, oxygen, carbondioxide, pollutants, etc.). Examples of these reactions can includepyrolysis reactions, formation of metal oxides, hydrides, or sulfides,or formation of metal complexes with carbon dioxide molecules, etc. Airsensitive fluids are stored under an inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen orargon) in order to protect the fluids from reactive gases. For example,air sensitive fluids can be stored in ampules or in bottles with septumcaps. Air sensitive fluids can also be stored in gloveboxes having inertatmospheres. A fluid can be transferred from the bottle by a syringethat pierces the septum.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus for transferring fluidcontained in a syringe. The apparatus can include an airlock componenthaving a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having a first end, asecond end, and a hollow tube with an interior surface and an exteriorsurface disposed between the first end and the second end. The apparatuscan also include an annular opening at the first end of the cylindricalbody, as well as a gas inlet aperture from the exterior to the interiorsurface of the hollow tube, and a gas outlet aperture from the interiorto the exterior surface of the hollow tube. The gas inlet aperture canhave a hollow shaft extending outwardly, and the gas outlet aperture caninclude a one-way valve. Additionally, the apparatus can include aninwardly-facing airtight material (e.g., an O-ring or hollow plug), anda septum. The septum can be made from a material such as silicone orpolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Further, the apparatus can include anattachment member with a first end coupled to the second end of thecylindrical body, and a second end having elongate legs that form anannular body around an exterior surface of a container.

Additional embodiments are directed to a method of transferring a fluid.The method can include obtaining a fluid transfer apparatus having anattachment member coupled to an exterior surface of a container holdingthe fluid. The method can further include inserting a syringe coupled toa needle into an opening in the fluid transfer apparatus. Additionally,the method can include introducing an inert gas flow into the hollowtube, moving the syringe forward through the hollow tube toward thesecond end of the cylindrical body, puncturing the septum with theneedle, and moving the syringe forward through the hollow tube so thatthe needle contacts the fluid in the container. The method can alsoinclude collecting a volume of liquid with the syringe, moving thesyringe backward through the hollow tube until the needle is inside thehollow tube, and uncoupling the attachment member from the container.Additionally, the method can include coupling the attachment member to asecond container, moving the syringe forward, puncturing the septum, anddepositing the volume of liquid into the second container.

Further embodiments are directed to an article of manufacture that caninclude a syringe having a plunger, barrel, and tip coupled to a needle,and a fluid transfer apparatus. The needle can have a Luer lock hub. Thefluid transfer apparatus can include an airlock component having acylindrical body, the cylindrical body having a first end, a second end,and a hollow tube with an interior surface and an exterior surfacedisposed between the first end and the second end. The apparatus canalso include an annular opening at the first end of the cylindricalbody, as well as a gas inlet aperture from the exterior to the interiorsurface of the hollow tube, and a gas outlet aperture from the interiorto the exterior surface of the hollow tube. The gas inlet aperture canhave a hollow shaft extending outwardly, and the gas outlet aperture caninclude a one-way valve. Additionally, the apparatus can include aninwardly-facing airtight material (e.g., an O-ring) and a septum. Theseptum can be made from a material such as silicone or rubber. Further,the apparatus can include an attachment member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of a fluidtransfer apparatus, syringe, and vial according to some embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional perspectiveview of the fluid transfer apparatus, the syringe, and the vial,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view of thefluid transfer apparatus, wherein the fluid transfer apparatus has analternative attachment member, according to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of transferring an airsensitive liquid using a fluid transfer apparatus, according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a series of schematic diagrams illustrating a visual processof transferring air sensitive liquid, according to some embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Materials that are sensitive to gases found in ambient air are commonlyused in laboratory and medical settings. These compounds are referred toas “air sensitive” compounds. “Ambient air” refers to the indoor oroutdoor atmosphere (e.g., the Earth's atmosphere) in which the compoundsare used or stored. The Earth's atmosphere and, thus, most ambient airis a mixture of approximately 78.09% nitrogen (N₂), 21.95% oxygen (O₂),0.93% argon (Ar), 0.04% carbon dioxide (CO₂), 0.4-1% water vapor (H₂O),and small amounts (i.e., less than approximately 0.04%) of other gases(e.g., hydrogen (H₂), methane (CH₄), krypton (Kr), neon (Ne), helium(He), etc.) and pollutants (e.g., nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide(SO₂), ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), fine particles, acids, etc.).There are a wide variety of compounds that can react with at least oneof these components. For example, metals (e.g., silver, iron, andcopper) can become tarnished, rusted, or patinaed by gradual reactionswith water, oxygen, and other atmospheric components. However, fewcompounds react with N₂ or the noble gases (Ar, He, Kr, and Ne).Therefore, these gases are referred to as “inert gases.”

Materials that are referred to as air sensitive are typically those thatreact with oxygen and/or water vapor within a time scale short enough torequire storage in an inert atmosphere (e.g., a time scale ranging fromless than one second to several months). An inert atmosphere is anatmosphere of chemically unreactive gas or gases (e.g., an atmospheresubstantially free of oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, etc.). Nitrogen(N₂) and argon (Ar) are the most commonly used inert gases in laboratorysettings due to their relative abundance on Earth.

The nature of an air sensitive material's storage requirements primarilydepends upon the speed of the reaction and the hazardousness of thematerial. Materials that react with oxygen and/or water vapor in lessthan a few months are often stored under an inert atmosphere in bottleswith septum caps that can be pierced by an airtight syringe for saferemoval and transfer. Some air sensitive materials react quickly (e.g.,in seconds or minutes) and exothermically with components of ambientair, and can be dangerous. For example, pyrophoric materialsspontaneously ignite in air at or below approximately 54.55° C. due totheir reactivity with oxygen and/or water vapor. Examples of pyrophoriccompounds that are commonly stored or transferred while dissolved insolution or as pure liquids can include metal hydrides, organolithiumreagents, Grignard reagents, diphosphane, tert-butyllithium,trimethylaluminum, triethylborane, diethyl zinc, etc. Despite thedangers associated with pyrophoric compounds, many of these materialshave wide applications in both commercial synthesis and research.

For example, tert-butyllithium (t-BuLi) is a commonly used strong basethat can deprotonate compounds including amines and hydrocarbons.However, t-BuLi is an extremely pyrophoric liquid, and has causednumerous laboratory accidents and injuries. Therefore, t-BuLi must bestored in an airtight container under an inert atmosphere, and carefullytransferred by airtight syringe or cannula. Additionally, working witht-BuLi in a laboratory glovebox or glovebag under an inert atmospherecan mitigate much of the danger, but this is not always practical.Further, even when t-BuLi is handled with proper air-free techniques,dangers can arise. A common problem with syringe or cannula transfer oft-BuLi is that a droplet of the liquid often remains on the tip of theneedle during transfer, and this droplet can easily ignite. In additionto the danger caused by ignition of the droplet, one product of thepyrolysis reaction is a lithium salt, which can clog the needle when itprecipitates.

An apparatus for airtight syringe transfer of air sensitive fluids isdisclosed. The apparatus can be used with a syringe as an accessory forsafe transfer of these fluids, or as a component of a device thatincludes a container or syringe. Herein, the term “airtight” is used todescribe materials and seals that are substantially impermeable to gasesand liquids. The fluid transfer apparatus encloses the needle of asyringe, along with part of the syringe barrel (i.e., the end of thebarrel that is coupled to the needle), in a cavity filled with an inertgas as the syringe is used to withdraw a liquid from a container,transport the liquid, and inject the liquid into another container.Examples of containers can include bottles, vials, flasks, test tubes,etc. These containers have airtight septum caps (i.e., caps havingmembranes that are substantially impermeable to gases and liquids, butcan be punctured by a needle). The septum caps prevent the liquidsinside the containers from coming into contact with the ambient air.However, it should be noted that, in some embodiments, the containers donot have septum caps. This is discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view 100 of afluid transfer apparatus 110, syringe 120, and vial 130 according tosome embodiments of the present disclosure. The syringe includes abarrel 135. The syringe 120 also includes a plunger, and the syringe 120is coupled to a needle. The needle and plunger are not illustrated inFIG. 1, and are discussed in greater detail below. The syringe 120 is agas-tight syringe made from one or more materials such as glass,plastic, metal, etc. A gas-tight syringe is a type of syringe having atight-fitting plunger that forms a seal with the interior wall of itssyringe barrel, thereby preventing gases from entering or leaving thebarrel at the end of the barrel opposite to the needle. However, itshould be noted that syringes that are not gas-tight can be used inother embodiments. Additionally, a container other than a vial can beused (e.g., bottles, test tubes, flasks, etc.).

The fluid transfer apparatus 110 has an airlock component 140 with acylindrical body in the shape of a hollow tube. However, it should benoted that the airlock component 140 can also have an elongate form thatis polygonal (e.g., rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, etc.). In someembodiments, the airlock component 140 is plastic. However, the airlockcomponent 140 can also be made of glass or metal. The airlock component140 can be opaque or transparent, or it can be partly transparent andpartly opaque. For example, an opaque tube could have a transparentwindow. Further, the airlock component 140 can include a gas sensor fordetermining the identity and concentration of gases inside of the hollowtube. This is discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 2.

Along the hollow tube of the airlock component 140 there is a gas inletport 150 and a gas outlet port 160. The inlet port 150 is an aperture inthe wall of the airlock component 140 from the exterior surface of thehollow tube to the interior surface of the hollow tube of the airlockcomponent. The inlet port can have a hollow shaft that extends from theairlock component 140 surface perpendicularly or at an oblique angle.Airtight tubing connected to an inert gas source can be attached to thehollow shaft of the inlet port 150. Examples of airtight tubing caninclude rubber tubing, silicone tubing, latex tubing, and PTFE tubing.However, any other airtight tubing material can be used.

The gas outlet port 160 is an aperture in the wall of the airlockcomponent 140 from the interior surface of the hollow tube to theexterior surface of the hollow tube of the airlock component. The gasoutlet port 160 can include a one-way valve, or it can be a simpleaperture with a hollow shaft extending from the outer surface of theairlock component, either perpendicularly or at an oblique angle.Further, the outlet port 160 can optionally be attached to tubingconnected to a vacuum source in order to facilitate purging of theairlock component 140. Purging of the airlock component is discussed ingreater detail with respect to FIG. 2. The hollow shafts of the inlet150 and outlet ports 160 can optionally have annular serrations to aidin forming an airtight seal with the airtight tubing. It should be notedthat, in some embodiments, the outlet port 160 does not have a shaft.Additionally, in some embodiments, the inlet port 150 connects directlyto a gas source without the use of airtight tubing.

The airlock component 140 has a first end and a second end. The syringe120 is inserted through the first end of the airlock component 140, andthe second end of the airlock component 140 is coupled to asubstantially annular opening at a first end of an attachment member180. The attachment member 180 has a second end that engages with thevial 130. This is discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 2. Insome embodiments, the first end of the attachment member 180 is coupledto the exterior surface of the airlock component 140 by friction. Forexample, if the circumference of the opening at the first end of theattachment member 180 is slightly larger than the circumference of thesecond end of the airlock component 140, the interior surface of thefirst end of the attachment member 180 can fit tightly around theexterior surface of the second end of the airlock component 140. In someembodiments, the attachment member 180 is plastic, though additionalexamples of attachment member 180 materials can include rubbers (e.g.,natural rubber, butyl rubber, isoprene polymers, etc.), silicone, andmetal. Attachment members are discussed in greater detail with respectto FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional perspectiveview 200 of the fluid transfer apparatus 110, the syringe 120, and thevial 130, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Thebarrel 135 of the syringe 120 tapers into a tip that is fitted to ahollow needle 205 for collecting fluid from the vial 130. The needle 205can be coupled to the tip by a Luer lock hub or a slip hub, or theneedle 205 can be non-releasably attached to the syringe 120. The vial130 has a neck 210 coupled to a septum cap 220. The septum cap 220 canbe part of a pre-attached airtight cap on a vial 130 containing liquidobtained from a commercial source, or the septum cap 220 can be placedon the vial 130 by a user. The septum cap 220 can be a plastic or metalcap (e.g., a screw cap or crown cap) with a substantially annular septum230 made of a gas-impermeable material in the center of the cap 220.However, the septum cap 220 can also be a septum sleeve stopper.Examples of septum 230 materials can include silicone, rubbers (e.g.,natural rubber, butyl rubber, isoprene polymers, etc.),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), PTFE/silicone, PTFE/gray butyl,PTFE/rubber, silicone/aluminum, and fluoroelastomers. However, any othertype of airtight septum can be used. In some embodiments, the vial 130is a glass vial. However, the vial 130 can also be a plastic or metalvial.

The second end of the fluid transfer apparatus 110, which is connectedto the attachment member 180, is coupled to the vial 130 by engaging theattachment member 180 with the neck 210 of the vial 130. The attachmentmember 180 extends from the airlock component 140, and engages with theouter surface of the vial neck 210. The attachment member 180 haselongate legs 235-1, 235-2, 235-N (referred to collectively as 235) thattogether form a substantially annular body surrounding the vial neck210. In order to secure the fluid transfer apparatus 110 to the vial130, the elongate legs 235 are extended in a radially outward directionaround the neck 210 of the vial 130 when the neck 210 of the vial 130 isinserted between the legs 235. In some embodiments, an O-ring disposedon the interior surface of the attachment member 180 forms an airtightseal with the vial neck 210, though this O-ring is not illustratedherein.

The syringe 120 and needle 205 are inserted into an inner cavity 240 inthe hollow tube of the airlock component 140 through a substantiallyannular opening 242 at the first end of the airlock component 140. Thesyringe 120 is inserted into the interior cavity 240 of the airlockcomponent 140 so that the needle 205 and the barrel 135 of the syringe120 enter through the annular opening 242. The annular opening 242 iscoupled to an inwardly-facing O-ring 245 for making an airtight sealwith the barrel 140 of the syringe 120 when the syringe 120 is insertedinto the inner cavity 240. It should be noted that the position of theinwardly-facing O-ring 245 can vary longitudinally within the portion ofthe interior cavity 240 that is between the gas inlet 150 and outletports 160.

Further, the O-ring 245 can be replaced by another inwardly-facingmaterial capable of forming an airtight seal with the barrel 135 of thesyringe 120. For example, a hollow plug or disc made from an airtightmaterial (e.g., rubbers, thermoplastics, silicone, PTFE, etc.) can becoupled to the interior surface of the airlock component 140 innercavity 240. The syringe can be inserted through a hole or other openingin approximately the center of such a plug or disc. Different holediameters could be used based on the diameter of the barrel of thesyringe. Further, a hollow plug could extend outwardly from the firstend of the airlock component 140.

Additionally, a seal between the substantially annular opening 242 andthe syringe could be formed in the absence of an O-ring or plug byapplying vacuum grease (e.g., hydrocarbon-based high vacuum grease,silicone grease, or Ramsay grease) between the surface of the syringebarrel 135 and the interior surface of the airlock component 140 at thefirst end. Further, it should be noted that, in some embodiments, anairtight seal can be made without an inwardly-facing airtight material.For example, a syringe barrel 135 that fits tightly into the annularopening, and makes contact with the interior surface of the airlockcomponent 140, can prevent air from entering or leaving the interiorcavity 240. In some embodiments, the syringe 120 could be non-releasablycoupled to the airlock component 140, though able to move backward andforward within the interior cavity 240.

After the annular opening 242 at the first end of the airlock component140 is sealed by the presence of the inserted syringe 120, the interiorcavity 240 is purged in order to replace the ambient air inside of thecavity 240 with an inert gas. In purging the cavity 240, inert gas froma gas source (e.g., a gas tank or a Schlenk flask.) enters the cavity240 through tubing fitted to the gas inlet port 150. As the inert gasenters through the inlet port 150, ambient air is forced out through thegas outlet port 160. Additionally, in some embodiments, the outlet port160 is fitted to tubing connected to a vacuum source in order tofacilitate removal of ambient air from the interior cavity 240.

Further, a gas sensor can be included in the airlock component 140. Thegas sensor would allow a user to determine when purging is required byindicating the presence of gases that can react with the air sensitivecompound to be transferred. Examples of gas sensors can include oxygensensors (e.g., zirconia-based sensors, wideband zirconia-based sensors,titania-based sensors, Clark-type electrodes, and oxygen optodes),carbon dioxide sensors (e.g., nondispersive infrared (NDIR) CO₂ sensors,and chemical sensors based on polymer- or heteropolysiloxane), and watervapor sensors (e.g., colorimetric detectors, metal-coil typehygrometers, psychrometers, capacitive hygrometers, resistivehygrometers, thermal hygrometers, and gravimetric hygrometers).

A septum 250 is located at the second end of the airlock component 140.This septum 250 is referred to herein as the “airlock septum 250.” Theairlock septum 250 closes the second end of the airlock component 140 bycovering the opening at the second end with an airtight seal. Theairlock septum 250 prevents gases from entering or leaving the innercavity 240 at the second end. Examples of gas-impermeable materials fromwhich the airlock septum 250 can be made can include silicone, rubbers(e.g., natural rubber, butyl rubber, isoprene polymers, etc.),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), PTFE/silicone, PTFE/gray butyl,PTFE/rubber, silicone/aluminum, PTFE/Thermoseal, and fluoroelastomers.However, any other type of airtight septum material can be used. Theneedle 205 of the syringe 120 is used to puncture the airlock septum250. The syringe 120 is moved forward through the interior cavity 240,toward the second end of the airlock component 140. The syringe 120 ismoved forward until the needle 205 punctures the airlock septum 250 andthe vial septum 230, and comes into contact with fluid inside the vial130. This is discussed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a perspective view 300 of thefluid transfer apparatus 110, wherein the fluid transfer apparatus hasan alternative attachment member 310, according to some embodiments ofthe present disclosure. The alternative attachment member 310 on thefluid transfer apparatus 110 is made from a flexible material that isimpermeable to gases and liquids (e.g., rubbers or silicone). Thisflexible attachment member 310 is pushed onto the vial 130 so that theattachment member 310 surrounds the neck of the vial 130. In someembodiments, the flexible attachment member 310 is flexible enough to bereceived by the vial 130, but resilient enough to form an airtight sealwith the exterior of the vial 130.

It should be noted that other types of attachment members can be used insome embodiments. For example, attachment members can comprise Luer lockfittings, slip fittings, ground glass fittings, bayonet fittings, PTFEor plastic sleeves. The attachment member can be further secured to thevial neck by a joint clip (e.g., a Keck clip), and/or sealed withsilicone grease or PTFE tape (e.g., Teflon tape). It should also benoted that, in some embodiments, the fluid transfer apparatus does nothave an attachment member, and is instead secured with a clip, adaptor,tape, manually, etc. Further, the attachment member 180 or 310 can benon-releasably attached to the airlock component 140, or can be a partof the airlock component 140 itself. That is, the second end of theairlock component 140 could act as an attachment member in someembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 400 of transferring anair sensitive liquid using a fluid transfer apparatus, syringe, andvial, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Withreference to FIG. 4, the components of the fluid transfer apparatus,syringe, and vial can be the same as or substantially similar to thecomponents of the fluid transfer apparatus 110, syringe 120, and vial130 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The fluid transfer apparatus is coupled to a vialcontaining an air sensitive liquid. This is illustrated at step 410. Thefluid transfer apparatus is coupled to the vial by engaging anattachment member with the neck of the vial, or by another attachmentmechanism.

The syringe and needle are inserted into an annular opening at an end ofthe airlock component opposite to the attachment member. This isillustrated at step 420. The syringe is inserted so that the barrel ofthe syringe and the needle extend into the airlock component, but do notpuncture the airlock septum. If the tube of the airlock component ismade, at least in part, from a transparent material (e.g., glass ortransparent plastic) the user can observe the position of the syringewithin the interior cavity, thereby preventing inadvertent puncturing ofthe airlock septum. Additionally, a locking mechanism such as a metal orplastic clip can be releasably attached at the end of the airlockcomponent coupled to the syringe in order to prevent the syringe frommoving forward.

An appropriately sized syringe is chosen such that the barrel of thesyringe forms an airtight seal with an inwardly-facing O-ring or otherairtight material at the annular opening of the airlock component.Further, in some embodiments, the seal can be fortified by wrapping PTFEtape around the exterior of the first end of the airlock component andsyringe barrel. Additionally, it should be noted that, in someembodiments, the syringe is inserted into the airlock component beforethe fluid transfer apparatus is coupled to the vial (i.e., steps 410 and420 are reversed).

The airlock component is purged in order to replace the ambient air inits hollow interior with inert gas. This is illustrated at step 430.Purging with inert gas is done using standard air-free techniques, aswould be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. An inletport is connected to an inert gas source by airtight tubing. The gasflows into the hollow interior of the airlock component through an inletport, and exits through an outlet port. Additionally, the syringe canoptionally be purged by moving its plunger up and down at least once toexpel the ambient air, and to introduce inert gas into the needle andbarrel. The hollow interior of the airlock component is kept underpositive pressure from the inert gas flow throughout the subsequentsteps. In some embodiments, the airlock component has a gas flow or gaspressure sensor.

As inert gas flows through the interior cavity of the airlock component,the syringe is pushed forward until the needle punctures the airlockseptum, and enters the vial, coming into contact with liquid in thevial. This is illustrated at step 440. In some embodiments, the needlepunctures a septum in a septum cap on the vial. Additionally, thesyringe can be filled with a volume of inert gas matching the volume ofliquid to be withdrawn from the vial before the septa are punctured.However, the syringe can also contain a lower volume of inert gas,higher volume of inert gas, or no gas. The desired volume of liquid iscollected by the syringe after any gas in the syringe is injected intothe headspace. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the vial orother liquid container does not have a septum cap. For example, a usercould collect liquid from an open flask inside of a glovebox under aninert atmosphere, and use the fluid transfer apparatus and syringe totransfer the liquid to a second container outside of the glovebox.

Once the liquid has been collected, the needle is withdrawn from thevial. This is illustrated at step 450. The syringe is moved backwardthrough the airlock component's hollow interior in order to withdraw theneedle from the vial until the needle and part of the barrel of thesyringe are inside the interior cavity of the airlock component. Thatis, the needle and syringe are returned to the position they were in atstep 420. A locking mechanism, such as a plastic or metal clip, canoptionally be disposed at the exterior of the annular opening and thesyringe barrel in order to hold the syringe in place after it has beenpositioned. Further, a second locking mechanism could be coupled to theend of the syringe barrel that is opposite the tip in order toimmobilize the plunger during transfer.

The fluid transfer apparatus and syringe are then detached from the neckof the vial, and transferred to another container. This is illustratedat step 460. The syringe and needle are not removed from the airlockcomponent interior in this step. In some embodiments, the tubing is notremoved from the fluid transfer apparatus before the transfer. However,the tubing may be removed, and the inlet and/or outlet ports can becovered or closed in order to maintain the inert gas atmosphere in theinterior cavity of the airlock component. The fluid transfer apparatusholding the inert gas, the syringe containing air sensitive liquid, andthe needle are then coupled to a second container by substantially thesame methods as described with respect to step 410.

The syringe needle punctures the airlock septum, and the needle entersthe second container by substantially the same methods as described withrespect to step 440. In some embodiments, the second container has aseptum cap. However, the second container can also be an open containerunder positive pressure from an inert gas, or an open container locatedin a glovebox under an inert atmosphere. The liquid is deposited intothe second container, and the needle is withdrawn from the container bysubstantially the same methods as described with respect to step 450.

FIG. 5 is a series 500 of schematic diagrams 510, 520, 530, 540, and 550illustrating a visual process of transferring air sensitive liquid 560-1and 560-2, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Thevisual process illustrated by these diagrams 500 is discussed withreference to process 400. Process 400 is described in greater detailwith respect to FIG. 4. Diagram 510 is a visual representation of step410. The fluid transfer apparatus 110 is coupled to the vial 130, whichholds air sensitive liquid 560-1. The apparatus 110 is coupled to thevial 130 by engagement of the attachment member 180 with the neck 210 ofthe vial 130. The syringe 120 and needle 205 are not yet inserted intothe airlock cavity 140.

Diagram 520 is a visual representation of steps 420 and 430 in process400. In step 420, the empty syringe 120 and the needle 205 coupled tothe syringe 120 are inserted into the interior cavity 240 of the fluidtransfer apparatus 110. The syringe 120 and needle 205 are insertedthrough the annular opening 242 of the airlock cavity 140 so that thebarrel 135 of the syringe 120 forms an airtight seal with theinwardly-facing O-ring 245 lining the annular opening 242. In step 430,the interior cavity 240 of the airlock component, the barrel of thesyringe 120, and the needle 205 are purged with an inert gas that entersthrough the inlet port 150, and exits through the outlet port 160.

Diagram 530 is a visual representation of step 440 in process 400. Instep 440, the syringe 120 is moved forward through the interior cavity240 so that the needle 205 punctures the airlock septum 250 and vialseptum 230. As the syringe 120 is moved forward, the barrel 135maintains an airtight seal with the O-ring 245. Once the needle 205 hasentered the vial 130, air sensitive liquid 560-1 in the vial iscollected by the syringe 120. The liquid 560-2 inside of the syringe 120is later transferred to another container.

Diagram 540 is a visual representation of step 450 in process 400. Instep 450, the syringe 120, which contains the liquid 560-2 collected instep 440, is moved backward so that the needle 205 and part of thesyringe barrel 135 are inside the interior cavity 240 of the airlockcomponent. Diagram 550 is a visual representation of step 460 in process400. In step 460, the fluid transfer apparatus 110, syringe 120, liquid560-2, and needle 205 are disengaged from the vial 130 and transferredto at least one additional container. The additional container orcontainers are not illustrated in diagram 550.

In some embodiments, the fluid transfer apparatus 110 is used totransfer fluids that are not pyrophoric. Additionally, the fluidtransfer apparatus 110 can be used to transfer fluids other than liquids(e.g., gases or plasmas). For example, the fluid transfer apparatus 110can be used to transfer fluids that will react with components of smallamounts of air entering the syringe through the needle in anon-pyrophoric manner. Examples of these fluids can include solutions oforganometallic compounds with f-block or early d-block metals, hydrogensulfide gas, nitric oxide gas, etc. Further, the fluid transferapparatus can be used to transfer liquids that are dangerous ifingested, inhaled, and/or absorbed by the skin. This would preventdroplets of the dangerous liquids from coming into contact with a user,or with a surface that may be touched by a user. Examples of compoundssuch as these can include organomercury compounds, liquids containingviruses or bacteria, solutions containing cyanide ions, etc.

Further, the fluid transfer apparatus 110 can be a component of a fluidtransfer and/or storage device, rather than an independent apparatus. Inthese instances, the fluid transfer apparatus component would be used insubstantially the same way as the independent fluid transfer apparatus110, despite being coupled to at least one additional component. Forexample, a fluid storage device could include a fluid transfer apparatuscomponent non-releasably attached to a bottle or other container. Fluidcould be removed from the fluid storage device with a syringe insertedthrough the airlock component into the bottle. Further, a fluid transferdevice could include a fluid transfer apparatus component non-releasablyattached to a syringe that is able to move backward and forward withinthe airlock component. The fluid transfer device would be coupled to acontainer holding an air sensitive liquid in the same manner as thefluid transfer apparatus 110.

The examples discussed herein and represented in the accompanyingdrawings may make reference to particular details. However, it will beunderstood that there are various modifications that can be made whileretaining the spirit and scope of the disclosure. These would be easilyrecognized and carried out by one of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for transferring fluid contained ina syringe, comprising: an airlock component having a cylindrical body,the cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and a hollow tubedisposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the hollowtube has an interior surface and an exterior surface; an annular openingat the first end of the cylindrical body; a gas inlet aperture from theexterior surface of the hollow tube to the interior surface of hollowtube; and a gas outlet aperture from the interior surface of the hollowtube to the exterior surface of the hollow tube.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a gas sensor for monitoring gases in contactwith the interior surface of the hollow tube.
 3. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising an inwardly-facing airtight material coupled tothe interior surface of the hollow tube.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a septum coupled to the second end of the cylindricalbody.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an attachmentmember having a first end coupled to the second end of the cylindricalbody and a second end coupled to an exterior surface of a container. 6.The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second end of the attachmentmember comprises elongate legs that form an annular body around theexterior surface of the container.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinthe second end of the attachment member comprises a flexible material.8. A method of transferring a fluid, comprising: obtaining a fluidtransfer apparatus, the fluid transfer apparatus comprising: an airlockcomponent having a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having a firstend, a second end, and a hollow tube disposed between the first end andthe second end, wherein the hollow tube has an interior surface and anexterior surface; an annular opening at the first end of the cylindricalbody; a gas inlet aperture from the exterior surface of the hollow tubeto the interior surface of hollow tube; a gas outlet aperture from theinterior surface of the hollow tube to the exterior surface of thehollow tube; and an attachment member having a first end that is coupledto the second end of the cylindrical body; coupling a second end of theattachment member to an exterior surface of a container; and inserting asyringe coupled to a needle through the annular opening at the first endof the cylindrical body.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:moving the syringe forward through the hollow tube toward the second endof the cylindrical body; and puncturing the septum with the needle. 10.The method of claim 9, further comprising: collecting, by the syringe, avolume of fluid from the container; moving the syringe backward throughthe hollow tube until the needle is inside the hollow tube; anduncoupling the attachment member from the container.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising depositing, by the syringe, a volume of afluid into the container.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprisingintroducing an inert glass flow into the hollow tube, wherein the inertgas flow enters the hollow tube through the gas inlet aperture, andexits the hollow tube through the gas outlet aperture.
 13. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the coupling the second end of the attachment member tothe exterior surface of the container comprises surrounding a portion ofthe exterior surface of the container with a flexible material.
 14. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the coupling the second end of the attachmentmember to the exterior surface of the container comprises forming anannular body of elongate legs around the exterior surface of thecontainer.
 15. An article of manufacture, comprising: a fluid transferapparatus, comprising: an airlock component having a cylindrical body,the cylindrical body having a first end, a second end, and a hollow tubedisposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the hollowtube has an interior surface and an exterior surface; an annular openingat the first end of the cylindrical body; a gas inlet aperture from theexterior surface of the hollow tube to the interior surface of hollowtube; and a gas outlet aperture from the interior surface of the hollowtube to the exterior surface of the hollow tube.
 16. The article ofmanufacture of claim 15, further comprising: a syringe comprising aplunger, a barrel, and a tip; and a needle coupled to the syringe. 17.The article of manufacture of claim 15, further comprising aninwardly-facing airtight material coupled to the interior surface of thehollow tube.
 18. The article of manufacture of claim 15, furthercomprising an attachment member having a first end coupled to the secondend of the cylindrical body and a second end coupled to an exteriorsurface of a container.
 19. The article of manufacture of claim 15,further comprising a gas sensor.
 20. The article of manufacture of claim15, further comprising a septum coupled to the second end of thecylindrical body.